Chapter 18
“Lady Peris, your appetite is truly remarkable… Oh, I don’t mean that in a bad way. I’m genuinely impressed.”
“I’m well aware my stomach is quite the marvel, so no need to worry.”
I flashed a wink, and Loti responded with a faint smile.
Starting with Loti, the other young ladies began cautiously ordering desserts, glancing around for cues.
In the end, the only one stubbornly sticking to an empty plate was Nanael.
She clung to her resolve, sipping only black tea with unwavering determination.
The fact that she didn’t flip the table as usual was likely because this was an official imperial event.
Moments later, when Empress Rosaria appeared at the gathering, even Nanael refrained from stirring trouble.
“I was wondering where all the beautiful ladies had gone, and here you are, gathered together.”
Empress Rosaria opened with an exaggerated compliment, prompting the ladies to approach one by one, greeting her with curtsies.
Everyone was eager to make a good impression on her. After all, her son, the second prince, was still unmarried.
Cesare Barnard.
A man with the arrogance typical of royalty and an insufferable personality, notorious for his womanizing ways.
His handsome face made him popular, but as the story progressed, he would solidify his place as a truly formidable villain.
In short, getting tangled up with this family was a recipe for exhaustion.
I introduced myself to Empress Rosaria with just the right amount of decorum.
“I greet Your Imperial Highness. I am Rodellia Peris, the eldest daughter of the Peris family.”
“Ah, so you’re Lady Peris. I’ve been quite curious about you.”
Not exactly the kind of curiosity I welcomed.
“I’m grateful for your kind attention.”
Your daughter’s boundless interest is already overwhelming, so please, spare me your curiosity.
I kept my true feelings buried, offering a polished social smile.
Honestly, the empress’s interest only made me deeply uneasy.
“So, I hear you’re still without a fiancé?”
“Yes, I plan to look for one this year.”
“My son happens to be without a fiancée as well.”
And?
My obvious discomfort prompted Empress Rosaria to speak again.
“What? Is my son not to your liking?”
Is she seriously considering me as a potential daughter-in-law?
No, more likely, she’s scheming to secure not just the Ainluk duchy but the Peris duchy as well through marriage.
The thought of tying myself to this family—where poisoning might be the least of my worries—sent a chill down my spine.
If I said I was interested, she’d subtly push the match forward. If I said I wasn’t, I’d risk being labeled as someone who disrespects the imperial family, tarnishing my reputation.
First Nanael, and now her mother stirring things up?
I masked my flustered expression and responded carefully.
“As a devout citizen of the Barnard Empire who believes in the sanctity of marriage, I trust I’ll find my destined partner this social season. However, my brother is quite… enthusiastic.”
It was neither an acceptance nor a refusal, but a measured response that preserved Empress Rosaria’s dignity.
She nodded as if she understood.
“I heard about your brother claiming every spot on your dance card at the last debutante ball. You must have your hands full, Lady Peris.”
At the subtle jab aimed at Adrian, I was quick to retort.
Sure, I’d used my brother as a shield, but I wasn’t about to join in when someone was badmouthing my family.
“I consider myself blessed to have such an affectionate family.”
“Hmm. Excessive affection can sometimes be poison, so I hope you’ll take that to heart. I’d love to see you again soon.”
It was a response befitting the mother of Nanael, who had a penchant for venom.
The irony wasn’t lost on me—she doted on her own son excessively, yet here she was, throwing shade at someone else’s.
I mustered every ounce of my social grace and responded with a smile.
“The pleasure’s mine.”
‘As if I’d want to see you again. I’m absolutely avoiding you.’
My thoughts were the polar opposite of my words.
Near the Shuri River, boats were gathered, preparing for the rowing competition.
The annual regatta, held every social season, was the perfect stage for eligible young men to flaunt their masculinity.
The winner of the race earned the coveted privilege of a summer retreat on imperial grounds, making the event wildly popular.
And nothing puffed up a young man’s chest quite like presenting a medal to the lady he admired.
This year, Alferen and Adrian were teaming up to compete in the triple sculls.
They were supposed to have one more teammate, but with their partner away on a trip, the two were practicing alone today.
Noticing Adrian’s unusually intense expression, Alferen raised an eyebrow.
“Why are you so fired up?”
“If I’m doing this, I’m going for the win.”
“Another one of your competitive streaks, huh?”
Alferen muttered as if he couldn’t keep up, and Adrian shot back.
“That’s part of it, but… what if some random guy wins and asks our Delly to spend the retreat with him? That’s not happening.”
“Most guys put in the effort because they’ve got a lady they like. Someone they want to spend the retreat with.”
“So, what, you’ve got a lady you’re dying to vacation with?”
At Adrian’s sulky question, Alferen held his tongue.
Sensing the shift in mood, Adrian stopped rowing and turned around.
“Wait, seriously? You’ve got someone?”
“Eyes front.”
Alferen gave him a light smack on the head with the hand gripping the oar, and Adrian let out a small huff of irritation.
“Hey, watch it! You’re messing up my hair. I’m supposed to pick up Delly later.”
“Why Delly?”
“She’s at that social gathering hosted by the Consort. Probably all the debutantes from this year are there.”
Normally, sending a carriage to pick her up at the appointed time would suffice, but that wasn’t enough for Adrian.
“Leaving our Delly to come home alone from a place like that? No way she’s walking back feeling lonely.”
Alferen was about to call it an obsession but instead asked quietly, “All the debutantes are there?”
“That’s what she said.”
“Hmm.”
They finished their practice and were docking the boat.
“I’m heading out—whoa!”
Just as Adrian was about to step onto land, he stumbled.
Alferen had rocked the boat.
Splash!
Drenched like a drowned rat amidst the frothy waves, Adrian exploded.
“What the hell, man? Are you crazy? Why’d you kick a perfectly good boat?”
“Saw a bug.”
“A bug? Damn it… I was supposed to go straight to Delly, and now you’ve ruined it!”
Adrian grumbled, wringing out his shirt.
His clothes were soaked through, and his carefully styled hair was a limp mess.
“Guess you’re right. Looking like that, picking up Delly’s gonna be tough.”
At Alferen’s nonchalant reply, Adrian glared.
“No choice, then. I’ll go get her.”
“What? How’d we get there?”
Adrian snorted in disbelief.
Alferen scanned him up and down before retorting.
“Go like that, and Delly’ll be embarrassed. You sure about that?”
“Well, that’s…”
Imagining Rodellia’s disdainful glare, Adrian’s face fell.
He had to admit, showing up like this would only earn him her cold shoulder.
“Fine. You go, then. Don’t let our Delly wait around alone.”
“On it.”
Alferen headed swiftly toward the cafeteria.
Thankfully, Consort Rosaria didn’t bother me any further.
Honestly, her words were little more than empty pleasantries.
If she genuinely wanted me as a daughter-in-law, she would’ve sent a proposal letter ages ago.
Cesare remained unmarried throughout the original story, without so much as a fiancée.
That was thanks to Consort Rosaria’s obsessive love for her son.
Why is it that every society has them?
Mothers who act like their sons are their lovers.
Consort Rosaria was the epitome of that archetype.
In the original story, she’d tormented several ladies who’d been linked to Cesare with jealous schemes.
And Cesare, who used his mother’s jealousy to prey on young, naive noblewomen, was, of course, utter trash.
For now, with Cesare gallivanting abroad, those rumors hadn’t surfaced. But once he returned, they’d spread like wildfire.
Getting entangled with a future troublemaker and his mother? Hard pass.
